The Raja Saab: Maruthi Responds to Social Media Trolling

Marking the beginning of the Sankranthi 2026 festive season, Prabhas-starrer The Raja Saab arrived in theatres on January 9 and opened to encouraging box-office momentum. Backed by solid advance bookings and festive footfalls, the film reportedly posted strong numbers over its first four days, setting the tone for the holiday season.

While the film enjoyed a promising start, certain sections drew criticism on social media, with director Maruthi becoming the target of online trolling. As the film now faces competition from fresh releases, including Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu starring Chiranjeevi, Maruthi addressed the criticism for the first time.

Responding firmly, the director reminded detractors of the effort behind filmmaking and urged restraint in online discourse. He emphasized that The Raja Saab represents nearly three years of dedicated work by hundreds of technicians and artists. Maruthi also remarked that irresponsible trolling has consequences, stating that “nature takes care of everything” and that people eventually realise the impact of their actions.

Meanwhile, the makers released a poster claiming that the film had crossed the Rs 200 crore gross mark worldwide, a statement that has sparked debate within trade circles. Ground-level reports indicate a more measured performance, with the Telugu version holding reasonably well at the box office.

The Hindi version, however, appears to have faced challenges, with reports suggesting collections of around Rs 15 crore during its opening weekend. Critics have offered mixed reviews, pointing to issues in the screenplay and suggesting that the horror elements could have been more effective.

Despite the divided opinions, The Raja Saab continues to attract audiences during the festive window, and the coming days are expected to offer greater clarity on its long-term box-office prospects.